Cronin chosen as Dighton selectmen chairman

Dean Cronin will serve as the new Board of Selectmen Chairman and Thomas Pires will serve as the new Board of Health Chairman and Personnel Officer after Wednesday night’s meeting.

By Christopher Nichols

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Christopher Nichols

Posted Oct. 4, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 4, 2012 at 4:03 AM

By Christopher Nichols

Posted Oct. 4, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 4, 2012 at 4:03 AM

DIGHTON

» Social News

Dean Cronin will serve as the new Board of Selectmen Chairman and Thomas Pires will serve as the new Board of Health Chairman and Personnel Officer after Wednesday night’s meeting.

The board reorganized Wednesday night after former Chairman Bud Whalon handed in his letter of resignation on Monday.

Prior to reorganizing, the selectmen addressed Whalon’s resignation.

Cronin thanked Whalon for his time serving the town.

“We all know that all his decisions weren’t always liked,” Cronin said. “…I guess it’s part of the job of being a selectman, but it is what it is. You can’t please everyone.”

“We’re just human beings who try to keep the best interests of the town in mind when we make decisions,” he added.

Pires also thanked Whalon, even though he said they always didn’t see eye to eye.

“He still had his heart and soul into representing the town of Dighton,” Pires said. “…Bud always had the town in his heart. Thank you.”

“Believe it or not, I’m sad to see you leave,” he added.

During their discussion of Whalon’s resignation, Pires and Cronin also spoke about the reactions of some in town, saying some comments posted on different social media sites and websites have been inappropriate.

“It’s been pretty bad the past couple of days,” Pires said. “…It’s not a time for attacks. It’s a time to move the town forward.”

The selectmen also met with representatives of Green Seal Environmental to discuss the ongoing removal of contaminants at the highway garage.

The two underground tanks at the garage discovered while the top three feet of soil were removed have been drained and will be removed tomorrow.

The total cost of removal, last estimated to be about $60,000, will likely increase again, as about 40 percent — or 400 tons — or the removed soil was found to be too contaminated for a landfill. This soil will now have to be transported to an asphalt plant for about twice the price.

When the tanks are removed, Green Seal will also conduct further testing on the soil underneath the tanks to determine this soil has been contaminated.